As usual, Swann’s various owner photographs and photobooks sale later this week brings in a different slice of material than is normally found at the three major auction houses. Albums and single image crime photographs (mug shots, crimes scenes etc.) lead the way, along with a variety of 19th century and vernacular works. There are no lots in the High estimate category (above $50000), so there is plenty of lower priced material to choose from. Overall, there are a total of 252 lots available, with a Total High Estimate of $2147300.
Here’s the statistical breakdown:
| Preview Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Total Low Lots (high estimate up to and including $10000) | 200 |
| Total Low Estimate (sum of high estimates of low lots) | $1176300 |
| Total Mid Lots (high estimate between $10000 and $50000) | 52 |
| Total Mid Estimate | $971000 |
| Total High Lots (high estimate above $50000) | 0 |
| Total High Estimate | $0 |
The top lot by High estimate is tied between two lots: lot 20, Robert Turnbull Macpherson, Roma album, 1860, estimated at $30000-45000 (image above, left, via Swann) and lot 153, Irving Penn, Cuzco Children, Cuzco, 1948/1949, estimated at $35000-45000.
Here’s the complete list of photographers with five or more lots in the sale, along with the number of lots on offer:
| Multiple Lots For Sale | |
|---|---|
| Ansel Adams | 10 |
| Edward Curtis | 9 |
| Bill Brandt | 7 |
| Henri Cartier-Bresson | 7 |
| Ruth Bernhard | 6 |
| Brassai | 6 |
| Walker Evans | 6 |
| Berenice Abbott | 5 |
| O. Winston Link | 5 |
| Aaron Siskind | 5 |
| Brett Weston | 5 |
| Edward Weston | 5 |
Other lots of interest include lot 19, William Henry Jackson, Album of half stereoviews, 1870-1885, estimated at $20000-30000 (image above, middle, via Swann), and lot 18, Alexander Gardner, 4 photographs depicting the hanging of the Lincoln conspirators, 1865, estimated at $20000-30000 (image above, right, via Swann).
The complete lot by lot catalog can be found here.
